大象传媒

Layer Cake goes to South Africa in Stander, a gripping, true-life crime caper. The Punisher star Thomas Jane surprises (given his CV) by delivering a charismatic turn as Andre Stander, a cop disillusioned by 70s Apartheid, who decides to break the law instead of uphold it. Executing a daring series of bank robberies (with Dexter Fletcher and the excellent David O'Hara), he becomes a kind of folk hero - although no amount of adrenaline, money or fame can give him peace.

Jane impresses as the contradictory central character - a man pushed to crime after witnessing (and taking part in) one too many acts of brutality against the oppressed black population. While originally a Robin Hood figure, he's soon living it up with his ill-gotten gains and failing to convince his wife (Deborah Kara Unger) of his moral justification. Perhaps originally he wanted to do something about civil rights, but it's a helluva lot easier to take the money and run.

"A SWAGGERING, IRRESISTIBLE OUTLAW"

Similarly, director Bronwen Hughes (who made the underrated Forces Of Nature) largely leaves social commentary behind after the affecting opening riot scene and instead falls in love with filthy lucre. The heists are a blast, with Stander a swaggering, irresistible outlaw (the highlight comes when he re-robs a bank whose manager boasted of outwitting him). With a pulsating 70s soundtrack, fat sideburns and oodles of style, these scenes are entertaining enough to forgive the occasionally uneven pace - while a third-act phone call between Stander and his dad adds emotional heft to the visual fizz. Recommended.